Display device in which multiple images are displayed using four neighboring pixels, display panel and electronic apparatus using same

ABSTRACT

A display device including a display part including a pixel of a first series having a first horizontal pixel width and a pixel of a second series having a second horizontal pixel width smaller than the first horizontal pixel width, the pixels of the first series and the pixels of the second series being arrayed alternately in each of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, and a light beam control part that controls a light beam from the display part or a light beam toward the display part.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/057,692 filed Mar. 1, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/609,416 filed Sep. 11, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No.9,313,480 issued Apr. 12, 2016, the entireties of which are incorporatedherein by reference to the extent permitted by law. The presentapplication claims the benefit of priority to Japanese PatentApplication No. JP 2011-214867 filed on Sep. 29, 2011 in the JapanPatent Office, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference hereinto the extent permitted by law.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to display devices, display panels andelectronic apparatus for displaying images.

Recently, display devices capable of performing 3D display arespotlighted. A 3D display displays viewpoint images including parallax(difference in point of view). When a viewer views viewpoint imagesdifferent from each other with right and left eyes, the viewerrecognizes a stereoscopic image with a depth sensation. Also, such adisplay device has been developed in which three or more imagesincluding parallax are displayed, and more natural 3D images areprovided to a viewer.

As such display devices, for example, a parallax barrier system and alenticular lens system are available. These systems are configured tosimultaneously display multiple viewpoint images and a viewer watchesimages different from each other depending on the viewing angle withright and left eyes. For example, JP-A-3-119889 teaches a display deviceof parallax barrier system in which liquid crystal elements are used asthe barrier.

With respect to these display devices of such system, various techniquesfor improving the image quality have been disclosed. For example,JP-A-2008-249887 teaches a display device which reduces moire causedfrom relative positional relationship between pixels array and lens orbarrier in a display part. Also, for example, JP-A-10-186294 teaches adisplay device capable of increasing the aperture ratio. Also, forexample, JP-A-7-005420 teaches a display device which is capable ofdisplaying images including continuous parallax.

SUMMARY

However, these display devices are desired to further improve the imagequality. For example, in a display device capable of 3D display, it isdesired to reduce, so-called crosstalk in which left eye image and righteye image are mixed. Also, in addition to 3D display, when a displaydevice is configured to provide ordinarily 2D display, it is desired toenhance the image quality of 2D display.

The present disclosure has been proposed in view of the above problems.

Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to provide a displaydevice, a display panel and an electronic apparatus capable ofincreasing the image quality.

A display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosureincludes a display part and a light beam control part. The display partincludes a pixel of a first series having a first horizontal pixel widthand a pixel of a second series having a second horizontal pixel widthsmaller than the first horizontal pixel width, the pixels of the firstseries and the pixels of the second series being arrayed alternately ineach of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. The light beamcontrol part controls a light beam from the display part or a light beamtoward the display part.

A display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosureincludes a pixel of a first series and a pixel of a second series. Thepixel of the first series has a first horizontal pixel width. The pixelof the second series has a second horizontal pixel width smaller thanthe first horizontal pixel width. The pixels of the first series and thepixels of the second series are arrayed alternately in each of ahorizontal direction and a vertical direction.

Electronic apparatuses according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes the above display device; for example, mobileterminal apparatuses such as a television set, a digital camera, apersonal computer, a video camera and a mobile phone are applicable.

In a display device, a display panel and an electronic apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a light beampasses through the light beam control part thereby an image displayed onthe display part is viewed and recognized by a viewer. At this time, inthe display part, the display is performed on both of pixels of thefirst series and pixels of the second series having horizontal pixelwidth different from each other, which are disposed alternately in thehorizontal direction and the vertical direction.

With the display device, the display panel and the electronic apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since pixels ofthe first series and pixels of the second series are arrayed alternatelyin each of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, theimage quality can be enhanced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a3D display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configurationof the display drive part shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of theconfiguration of the display part shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3B is across-sectional view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating an example of the configuration ofthe display part shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed disposition of the sub-pixels shown inFIG. 4;

FIG. 6A is a plan view illustrating an example of the configuration ofthe barrier part shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional viewthereof;

FIG. 7 illustrates a relationship between a barrier part and the displaypart shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic views illustrating a relationship betweenthe barrier part and the display part shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating an example of the operation ofthe 3D display device shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 10A to 10C illustrate a characteristic of the 3D display deviceshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing an example of a brightnessdistribution in the 3D display device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing another example of the brightnessdistribution in the 3D display device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of an example of the configuration of a displaypart according to a comparative example;

FIGS. 14A to 14C illustrate a characteristic of a 3D display deviceaccording to a comparative example;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view illustrating an example of a brightnessdistribution in the 3D display device according to the comparativeexample;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view illustrating another example of thebrightness distribution in the 3D display device according to thecomparative example;

FIGS. 17A and 17B are plan views illustrating an example of theconfiguration of a display part according to a modification;

FIG. 18 illustrates a characteristic of the 3D display device;

FIGS. 19A AND 19B are plan views illustrating an example of theconfiguration of a barrier part according to another modification;

FIG. 20 illustrates a relationship between the barrier part and thedisplay part according to another modification;

FIG. 21 is a plan view illustrating an example of the configuration ofthe display part according to another modification;

FIG. 22 illustrates a relationship between the barrier part and thedisplay part according to another modification;

FIG. 23 is a plan view illustrating an example of the configuration ofthe barrier part according to another modification;

FIGS. 24A and 24B are schematic views illustrating a relationshipbetween the barrier part and the display part according to anothermodification;

FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configurationof the 3D display device according to another modification;

FIG. 26 is a schematic view illustrating an example of the operation ofthe 3D display device according to another modification;

FIG. 27 is a plan view illustrating an example of the configuration ofthe display part according to another modification;

FIG. 28 is a plan view of another example of the configuration of thedisplay part according to another modification;

FIG. 29 is a plan view of another example of the configuration of thedisplay part according to another modification;

FIG. 30 illustrates a relationship between the barrier part and thedisplay part according to another modification; and

FIG. 31 is a perspective illustration showing an external configurationof a TV set to which the 3D display device according to an embodiment isapplied.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail belowreferring to the appended drawings. Description will be made in thefollowing order:

1. Embodiments 2. Application Example <1. Embodiments> [ConfigurationExample] (Example of Entire Configuration)

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of configuration of a 3D display deviceaccording to the embodiment. A 3D display device 1 is a 3D displaydevice of parallax barrier system. Since a display panel according tothe embodiment of the present disclosure is achieved by this embodiment,the description thereof will be made accordingly.

The 3D display device 1 includes a control section 41, a back lightdrive section 42, a back light 30, a display drive section 50, a displaypart 20, a barrier drive section 43 and a barrier part 10.

The control section 41 is a circuit that controls the back light drivesection 42, the display drive section 50 and the barrier drive section43 based on an image signal Sdisp supplied from the external. Inparticular, the control section 41 is configured to supply a back lightcontrol signal to the back light drive section 42, to supply an imagesignal Sdisp 2 generated based on the image signal Sdisp to the displaydrive section 50, and to supply a barrier control signal to the barrierdrive section 43. The image signal Sdisp2 is an image signal S2D whenthe 3D display device 1 performs ordinary display (2D display) whichincludes one viewpoint image; and when the 3D display device 1 performs3D display, the image signal Sdisp2 is an image signal S3D whichincludes multiple (in this example, 4) viewpoint images as describedbelow.

The back light drive section 42 drives the back light 30 based on a backlight control signal supplied from the control section 41. The backlight 30 has a function to output surface-emitted light toward thedisplay part 20. The back light 30 is configured including, for example,an LED (Light Emitting Diode), a CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp) orthe like.

The display drive section 50 drives the display part 20 based on theimage signal Sdisp2 supplied from the control section 41. In thisexample, the display part 20 is a liquid crystal display part, which isconfigured to drive the liquid crystal display and modulates lightoutput from the back light 30 to thereby perform a display.

The barrier drive section 43 drives the barrier part 10 based on thebarrier control signal supplied from the control section 41. The barrierpart 10 allows the light, which is output from the back light 30 andpasses through the display part 20, to pass therethrough (openoperation) or blocks (close operation) the same, and has multipleopen/close parts 11 and 12 (described below) which is configured byusing liquid crystal.

In the 3D display device 1, the back light 30, the display part 20, andthe barrier part 10 are disposed in this order as shown in FIG. 1. Thatis, it is arranged so that the light output from the back light 30reaches to a viewer through the display part 20 and the barrier part 10.

(Display Drive Section 50 and Display Part 20)

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the display drivesection 50. The display drive section 50 includes a timing controlsection 51, a gate driver 52 and a data driver 53. The timing controlsection 51 controls the drive timing of the gate driver 52 and the datadriver 53, generates an image signal Sdisp3 based on the image signalSdisp2 supplied from the control section 41 and supplies the same to thedata driver 53. The gate driver 52 selects pixels Pix within the displaypart 20 in order on the line basis in accordance with the timing controlby the timing control section 51, to performing the scanning on thelines in order. The data driver 53 supplies a pixel signal based on theimage signal Sdisp3 to each of the pixels Pix of the display part 20. Inparticular, the data driver 53 performs a D/A (digital-analog)conversion based on an image signal Sdisp3 to generate an analog pixelsignal, and supplies the same to each of the pixels Pix

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example of configuration of the displaypart 20; FIG. 3(A) illustrates an example of a circuit diagram of asub-pixel SPix constituting a pixel Pix; and FIG. 3(B) illustrates aconfiguration of a cross-section of the display part 20.

Each pixel Pix has three sub-pixels SPix corresponding to red (R), green(G), blue (B) respectively. Each of the sub-pixels SPix includes a TFT(Thin Film Transistor) element Tr, a liquid crystal element LC and aretentive capacity element Cs as shown in FIG. 3(A). TFT element Tr ismade of, for example, a MOS-FET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor-Field EffectTransistor); the gate thereof is connected to a gate line GCL; thesource is connected to a data line SGL; and the drain is connected toone end of the liquid crystal element LC and of the retentive capacityelement Cs. One end of the liquid crystal element LC is connected to thedrain of the TFT element Tr, and the other end thereof is grounded. Oneend of the retentive capacity element Cs is connected to the drain ofthe TFT element Tr, and the other end thereof is connected to aretentive capacity line CSL. The gate line GCL is connected to the gatedriver 52; and the data line SGL is connected to the data driver 53.

The display part 20 is constituted of a drive substrate 207, a countersubstrate 208 and a liquid crystal layer 203 sealed therebetween asshown in FIG. 3(B). The drive substrate 207 includes a transparentsubstrate 201, a pixel electrode 202 and a polarization plate 206 a. Thetransparent substrate 201 is made of, for example, glass or the likeformed with a TFT element Tr. On the transparent substrate 201, a pixelelectrode 202 is disposed for each sub-pixel SPix. On the surfaceopposite to the surface disposed with the pixel electrode 202 of thetransparent substrate 201, the polarization plate 206 a is stuck. Thecounter substrate 208 includes a transparent substrate 205, a counterelectrode 204 and a polarization plate 206 b. The transparent substrate205 is made of, for example, glass or the like. On the surface at theliquid crystal layer 203 side of the transparent substrate 205, a colorfilter and a black matrix are formed; and further thereon, the counterelectrode 204 is disposed as a common electrode for the sub-pixels SPix.On the surface of the transparent substrate 205 opposite to the surfacedisposed with the counter electrode 204, the polarization plate 206 b isstuck. The polarization plate 206 a and the polarization plate 206 b arestuck to each other so as to be crossed Nichol prism or parallelpolarizer.

FIG. 4 illustrates an array of sub-pixels SPix in the display part 20.In FIG. 4,

“R” represents a red sub-pixel SPix; “G” represents a green sub-pixelSPix; and “B” represents a blue sub-pixel SPix.

The display part 20 includes two different sub-pixels SPix (21, 22) eachextending in a vertical direction Y and each different in width in thehorizontal direction X of the display screen. In particular, the displaypart 20 includes sub-pixels 21 (21R, 21G, 21B) which have a larger widthW21 in the horizontal direction

X, and sub-pixels 22 (22R, 22G, 22B) which have a smaller width W22 inthe horizontal direction X. The sub-pixels 21 and sub-pixels 22 aredisposed alternately in the horizontal direction X. In particular, inthis example, sub-pixels 21R, 22B, 21G, 22R, 21B and 22G are repeatedlydisposed in the horizontal direction X in this order. Also, thesub-pixel 21 and the sub-pixel 22 are disposed alternately in thevertical direction Y of the display screen. The sub-pixel 21 and thesub-pixel 22 neighboring on each other in the vertical direction Y arearranged so that the central coordinates thereof coincide with eachother in the horizontal direction X. In the boundary area between theneighboring sub-pixels 21 and 22, a black matrix (not shown) is formedto prevent color mixture among red (R), green (G) and blue (B).

FIG. 5 illustrates more precisely the disposition of the sub-pixels 21in the display part 20. In the display part 20, the distance S21 betweenthe neighboring sub-pixels 21 in the horizontal direction X is arrangedto be equal to a width W21 of the sub-pixels 21 itself. With thisarrangement, for example, the coordinate of the right edge (for example,right edge SR1) in the horizontal direction X of a sub-pixel 21 isarranged to be equal to the coordinate in the horizontal direction X ofthe left edge (for example, left edge SL2) of the sub-pixel 21 which isdisposed neighboring at right upper. And for example, the coordinate inthe horizontal direction X of the left edge (for example, left edge SL1)of a sub-pixel 21 is arranged to be equal to the coordinate of the rightedge (right edge SR2) in the horizontal direction X of the sub-pixel 21which is disposed neighboring at the left upper.

With this arrangement, when the 3D display device 1 performs a 3Ddisplay, which will be described later, the sub-pixels 21 display fourviewpoint images, and the sub-pixel 22 displays a black color. When the3D display device 1 performs an ordinary display (2D display), both ofthe sub-pixel 21 and the sub-pixel 22 displays a two dimensional image.With this, when the 3D display device 1 performs the 3D display, whichwill be described later, moire and crosstalk are reduced resulting in aenhanced image quality; and when the ordinary display is made, the imagequality is enhanced by increased brightness.

(Barrier Part 10)

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an example of a configuration of the barrierpart 10; FIG. 6A is a plan view of the barrier part 10, and FIG. 6Bshows a cross-sectional configuration of the barrier part 10 taken alonga line VI-VI as viewed in a direction of arrows.

The barrier part 10 is so-called a parallax barrier including multipleopen/close parts (liquid crystal barrier) 11 and 12, which arelight-transmissive or block the light as shown in FIG. 6A. In thisexample, the open/close parts 11 and 12 are provided extending in thevertical direction Y. In this example, the width W11 of the open/closepart 11 and the width W12 of the open/close part 12 are different fromeach other; in this case, for example, W11>W12. However, the widthrelationship of the open/close parts 11 and 12 is not limited to this;it may be W11<W12 or W11=W12.

The barrier part 10 includes a drive substrate 107, a counter substrate108 and a liquid crystal layer 103 sealed therebetween as shown in FIG.6B. The drive substrate 107 includes a transparent substrate 101, atransparent electrode layer 102 and a polarization plate 106 a. Thetransparent substrate 101 is made of, for example, glass or the like,and the transparent electrode layer 102 is formed thereon.

On the surface opposite to the surface which is disposed with thetransparent electrode layer 102 of transparent substrate 101, thepolarization plate 106 a is stuck thereto. The counter substrate 108includes a transparent substrate 105, a transparent electrode layer 104and a polarization plate 106 b. The transparent substrate 105 is madeof, for example, glass or the like, and the transparent electrode layer104 is formed thereon. On the surface opposite to the surface which isdisposed with the transparent electrode layer 104 of the transparentsubstrate 105, the polarization plate 106 b is stuck thereto. Thepolarization plate 106 a and polarization plate 106 b are stuck withrespect to each other so as to form crossed Nichol prism or parallelpolarizer.

The transparent electrode layer 102 has multiple transparent electrodes110 and 120. The transparent electrode layer 104 is provided asso-called a common electrode over the positions corresponding to themultiple transparent electrodes 110 and 120. Each of the open/close part11 is configured including the transparent electrode 110 and theportions corresponding to the transparent electrode 110 in the liquidcrystal layer 103 and the transparent electrode layer 104. Likewise, theopen/close part 12 is configured including the transparent electrode 120and the portions corresponding to the transparent electrodes 120 in theliquid crystal layer 103 and transparent electrode layer 104. With thisconfiguration, when a voltage is selectively applied to the transparentelectrode 110 or transparent electrode 120, in the barrier part 10, theliquid crystal layer 103 has a liquid-crystal molecular orientationcorresponding to the voltage; and thus, the open/close operation of therespective open/close parts 11 and 12 can be performed.

The open/close parts 11 and 12 perform different operations depending onthe display mode that the 3D display device 1 performs; i.e., theordinary display (2D display) or the 3D display. In particular, when theordinary display is made the open/close part 11 gets into the open state(transmissive state); and when the 3D display is made, the open/closepart 11 gets into the closed state (blocking state) which will bedescribed below. In both of the ordinary display mode and the 3D displaymode, the open/close part 12 gets into open state (transmissive state).

FIG. 7 illustrates a relative positional relationship in the displaypart 20 between the sub-pixels 21 and the open/close parts 11 and 12 inthe barrier part 10. Note that the sub-pixels 22 in the display part 20are omitted in the figure in FIG. 7.

That is, the sub-pixels 22, which display a black color when the 3Ddisplay is performed, are omitted in FIG. 7. Within neighboring twolines, one open/close part 12 is provided for four sub-pixels 21(sub-pixel group PG) in the horizontal direction X. This corresponds tothe fact that, when the 3D display device 1 performs the 3D display,four viewpoint images are displayed.

FIGS. 8A and 8B schematically illustrate the state of the barrier part10 in a cross-sectional structure when the 3D display and the ordinarydisplay (2D display) are made. FIG. 8A shows a state when the 3D displayis made; and FIG. 8B shows a state when the ordinary display is made. InFIG. 8, the open/close parts 11 marked with slashes represent the statethat the light is blocked.

When the 3D display is made, an image signal S3D is supplied to thedisplay drive section 50, and the display part 20 performs the displaybased on the image signal S3D. In particular, as show in FIG. 8A, in thebarrier part 10, the open/close parts 12 get in the open state(transmissive state); and the open/close parts 11 get into the closedstate (blocking state). In the display part 20, the neighboring foursub-pixels 21 (sub-pixel group PG) disposed at the positionscorresponding to the open/close part 12 displays four piece of sub-pixelinformation P1-P4 each corresponding to the viewpoint images; and everysub-pixel 22 (not shown) performs the black display. With thisarrangement, the viewer views viewpoint images which are different fromeach other on the left eye and the right eye as described later; i.e.,stereoscopic image.

When the ordinary display (2D display) is made, an image signal S2D issupplied to the display drive section 50, and the display part 20performs the display based on the image signal S2D. In particular, inthe barrier part 10, both of the open/close parts 11 and 12 get into theopen state (transmissive state); and in the display part 20, everysub-pixels 21 and 22 display one viewpoint image (two dimensional image)as shown in FIG. 8B. With this, the viewer views an ordinary twodimensional image displayed on the display part 20 as it is.

Here, the sub-pixels 21 (21R, 21G, 21B) correspond to a particularexample of “first series pixels” according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure; while the sub-pixels 22 (22R, 22G, 22B) correspondto a particular example of “second series pixels” according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. The open/close part 12 correspondsto a particular example of “liquid crystal barrier in first series”according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and the open/closepart 11 corresponds to a particular example of a “liquid crystal barrierin second series” according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[Operation and Working]

Subsequently, the operation and working of the 3D display device 1 ofthe embodiment will be described below.

(Entire Outline of the Operation)

Referring to FIG. 1, entire outline of the operation of the 3D displaydevice 1 will be described first. The control section 41 controls theback light drive section 42, the display drive section 50 and thebarrier drive section 43 based on the image signal Sdisp which issupplied from the external. The back light drive section 42 drives theback light 30 based on a back light control signal supplied from thecontrol section 41. The back light 30 outputs the emitted light from thesurface thereof to the display part 20. The display drive section 50drives the display part 20 based on the image signal Sdisp2 suppliedfrom the control section 41. The display part 20 modulates the lightoutput from the back light 30 to perform the display. In particular,when performing the 3D display, the sub-pixels 21 on the display part 20display the pixel information relevant to the four viewpoint images, andthe sub-pixels 22 perform the black display. When performing theordinary display (2D display), the sub-pixels 21 and 22 display a pixelinformation according to one viewpoint image (two dimensional image).The barrier drive section 43 controls the barrier part 10 based on thebarrier control signal supplied from the control section 41. Theopen/close parts 11 and 12 in the barrier part 10 performs theopen/close operation based on an instruction from the barrier drivesection 43 to allow the light, which is output from the back light 30and passes through the display part 20, to pass therethrough or blockthe same.

(Detailed Operation of the 3D Display)

The operation for performing the 3D display will be described in detail.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of 3D display operation in the displaypart 20 and the barrier part 10. When the 3D display is performed, inthe barrier part 10, the open/close parts 12 get into the open state(transmissive state); and the open/close parts 11 gets into the closedstate (blocking state). The display part 20 displays the pixelinformation of the image signal S3D. At this time, the four sub-pixels21 (sub-pixel group PG) disposed adjacent to the open/close part 12display the pixel information P1-P4 corresponding to four viewpointimages respectively as shown in FIG. 9. The respective beams of lightoutput from each of the sub-pixels 21 in the display part 20 are outputwith an angle restricted by the open/close part 12. With this, theviewer views, for example, the pixel information P2 with the left eye,and the pixel information P3 with the right eye. Thus, the viewer viewsdifferent pieces of pixel information in the pixel information P1-P4with the left eye and the right eye. Accordingly, the viewer senses thedisplayed image as a stereoscopic image.

(Image Quality)

Subsequently, a description is made on the image quality of the 3Ddisplay device 1. The description is made on the image quality of the 3Ddisplay, and then on the image quality of the ordinary display.

First, a description is made on the moire and the crosstalk in the 3Ddisplay.

FIG. 10A-FIG. 10C illustrate relative positional relationship betweenthe sub-pixels 21 in the display part 20 and the open/close parts 12 inthe barrier part 10. Note that the open/close parts 11 and thesub-pixels 22 are omitted in these figures. That is, in these figures,the open/close parts 12 which get into the open state when the 3Ddisplay is made and the sub-pixels 21 that display the image areillustrated; but the open/close parts 11 that get into the closed statewhen the 3D display is made and the sub-pixels 22 that display blackcolor are omitted. The positional relationship shown in FIG. 10A-FIG.10C is caused by, for example, a viewing angle when the viewer views thedisplay screen. In particular, for example, when the viewer views fromthe front side perpendicular to the display screen, the positionalrelationship shown in FIG. 10B is obtained; when the viewer views fromat the right side with respect to the front side perpendicular to thedisplay screen, the positional relationship shown in FIG. 10A isobtained; and when the viewer views from at the left side with respectto the front side perpendicular to the display screen, the positionalrelationship shown in FIG. 10C is obtained.

For example, in the positional relationship shown in FIG. 10A, theviewer views a portion A1 in the sub-pixels 21G corresponding to anopen/close part 12 in the open state. In the positional relationshipshown in FIG. 10B, the viewer views portions A21 and A22 correspondingto the open/close part 12 in two sub-pixels 21G Also in the positionalrelationship shown in FIG. 10C, the viewer views a portion A3corresponding to an open/close part 12 in the open state in thesub-pixels 21G At this time, in the 3D display device 1, since thesub-pixels 21 are disposed so that distance S21 in the horizontaldirection X is equal to the width W21 between the sub-pixels 21 as shownin FIG. 5, the area of the portion A1 in FIG. 10A, the total area of theportions A21 and A22 in FIG. 10B and the area of the portion A3 in FIG.10C are equal to each other. That is, the area of the viewed sub-pixelis constant regardless of the viewing angle α when the viewer views thedisplay screen. With this, since the 3D display device 1 maintains thebrightness at a substantially constant level regardless of the viewingangle α, the generation of moire is suppressed; and thus and thedeterioration of the image quality is suppressed different from the caseof comparative example, which will be described later.

Also, for example, the relative positional relationship between thesub-pixels 21 and 22 and the open/close part 12 may displace from adesired positional relationship due to the differences of manufacturingconditions or the like, and there may be a case that the states shown inFIG. 10A-FIG. 10C cyclically appear on the display screen. However, evenin such case, the 3D display device 1, in the states shown in FIG.10A-FIG. 10C, since the brightness is equal to each other, thebrightness on the display screen is maintained uniformly.

FIGS. 11 and 12 schematically illustrate the brightness distributionrelevant to a sub-pixel group PG FIG. 11 illustrates a case when thewidth W12 of the open/close parts 12 is large; and FIG. 12 illustrates acase when the width W12 of the open/close parts 12 is small.

Multiple light beams relevant to four viewpoint images, which aredifferent from each other are output from each sub-pixel (in thisexample, two sub-pixels 21R and two sub-pixels 21G) in the sub-pixelgroup PG and each of the multiple light beams proceeds in the respectivedirections passing through the open/close part 12 in the open stateresulting in a brightness distribution ID. The brightness distributionID reflects the width W12 of the open/close part 12. That is, in thebrightness distribution ID, the larger width W12 of the open/close part12 (FIG. 11) obtains the brightness I higher than that of the smallerwidth W12 (FIG. 12). And the smaller width W11 of the open/close part 12obtains the overlapped portion in the neighboring brightnessdistributions ID that is larger than that of the larger width W11 (FIG.11).

The total brightness IT, which is the sum of the brightnessdistributions ID, becomes substantially constant regardless of the widthW12 of the open/close part 12 and regardless of the viewing angle α asshown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, thus the generation of moire issuppressed. This agrees with the fact that the area of the viewedsub-pixel is substantially constant regardless of the viewing angle α asdescribed referring to FIG. 10. That is, since this characteristic iscaused from the disposition of the sub-pixels 21 as shown in FIG. 5,this characteristic is ensured regardless of the width W12 of theopen/close part 12. In the 3D display device 1, since the totalbrightness IT has a flat characteristic with respect to the viewingbrightness a regardless of the width W12 of the open/close part 12, thegeneration of moire is suppressed.

In a range where neighboring brightness distributions overlap with eachother (crosstalk range act), the beams of light relevant to theviewpoint images, which are different from each other, overlap with eachother. When the viewer views the displayed image at a viewing angle αwithin the range, a crosstalk occurs, in which different viewpointimages are displayed being overlapped with each other. The crosstalkrange act can be made smaller by reducing the width W12 of theopen/close part 12 as demonstrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. That is,different from a comparative example, which will be described later, inthe 3D display device 1, the crosstalk can be reduced while suppressingthe generation of moire by reducing the width W12 of the open/close part12.

As described above, in the 3D display device 1, since the sub-pixels 21and the sub-pixels 22 are disposed alternately in the horizontaldirection X, the generation of moire can be suppressed regardless of thewidth W12 of the open/close part 12, and thus, the degree of designingfreedom is enhanced. In particular, for example, to reduce thecrosstalk, width W12 of the open/close part 12 is reduced; to enhancethe brightness I, the width W12 of the open/close part 12 is increased.

Subsequently, a description will be made on the image quality in theordinary display (2D display).

When performing the ordinary display, the 3D display device 1 controlsthe open/close parts 11 and 12 in the barrier part 10 to get into theopen state (transmissive state), and the sub-pixels 21 and 22 in thedisplay part 20 display a two dimensional image. That is, whenperforming the 3D display, only the sub-pixels 21 in the display part 20display a viewpoint image and the sub-pixels 22 perform black display.When performing ordinary display, both of the sub-pixels 21 and 22display the image. Compared to the case where the sub-pixels 22 are notprovided, the 3D display device 1 enhances the brightness during theordinary display. As described above, when performing the 3D display,the 3D display device 1 effectively utilizes the sub-pixels 22performing the black display during the ordinary display; to therebyenhance the image quality.

Also, in the 3D display device 1, the sub-pixels 21 and 22 arerepeatedly disposed like 21R, 22B, 21G, 22R, 21B and 22G in this orderas shown in FIG. 4. The sub-pixels, which are relevant to the same color(for example, sub-pixels 21R, 22R), are disposed uniformly at theconstant distance in the horizontal direction X. Compared to the casewhere, for example, the sub-pixels 21R, 22R are disposed beingneighboring on each other, smooth display with little sensation of dotsis achieved.

Comparative Example

While comparing with a comparative example, advantageous effects of the3D display device 1 according to the present embodiment will bedescribed below. A 3D display device 1R according to the comparativeexample is configured including a display part 60R in which thedisposition of sub-pixels SPix is different from that of the presentembodiment. Other configuration is identical to that of the presentembodiment (FIG. 1 or the like).

FIG. 13 illustrates the array of sub-pixels SPix in the display part60R. The display part 60R includes sub-pixels 61 (61R, 61G, 61B) each ofwhich has an equal width in the horizontal direction X. That is, in thedisplay part 20 according to the present embodiment, two different kindsof sub-pixels 21 and 22 each having a width different from each otherare included. However, in the display part 60R according to thecomparative example, the width of every sub-pixels of 61R, 61G and 61Bis equal each other. The 3D display device 1R is configured so thatevery sub-pixel of 61R, 61G and 61B performs the display in both modesof the 3D display and the ordinary display (2D display).

FIGS. 14A to 14C illustrate a relative positional relationship betweenthe sub-pixel 61 and the open/close part 12 in the 3D display device 1R.When the 3D display is performed, for example, in the positionalrelationship shown in FIG. 14A, the viewer views a portion R1corresponding to the open/close part 12 in the open state in a sub-pixel61G. In a positional relationship shown in FIG. 14B, the viewer viewsportions R21 and R22 corresponding to the open/close part 12 in certaintwo sub-pixels 61G In a positional relationship shown in FIG. 14C, theviewer views a portion R3 corresponding to the open/close part 12 in asub-pixel 61G In this case, for example, the area of the portion R1 inFIG. 14A and the area of the portion R3 in FIG. 14C are larger than thetotal area of the portions R21 and R22 in FIG. 14B. In this example, inthe positional relationships shown in FIG. 14A and FIG. 14C, compared tothe positional relationship in FIG. 14B, the brightness of green ishigher. Thus, in the 3D display device 1R, the brightness changes(moire) depending on a viewing angle α and the image quality may bedeteriorated.

Also, for example, when the relative positional relationship between thesub-pixel 61 and the open/close part 12 is deviated from a desiredpositional relationship due to differences in manufacturing conditions,and when the states shown in FIG. 14A-FIG. 14C cyclically appear in thedisplay screen, in the states in FIG. 14A-FIG. 14C, the brightness isdifferent from each other, the viewer may view uneven brightness on thedisplay screen and the image quality may be deteriorated.

FIGS. 15 and 16 schematically illustrate a brightness distributionrelevant to a sub-pixel group PG in the 3D display device 1R. FIG. 15illustrates the case where the width W12 of the open/close part 12 islarger. And FIG. 16 illustrates the case where the width W12 of theopen/close part 12 is smaller.

The total brightness IT which is a sum of the respective brightnessdistributions ID changes depending on the viewing angle α as shown inFIGS. 15 and 16. This is caused from the fact that area of the viewedsub-pixel 61 changes depending on the viewing angle α as shown in FIGS.14A-14C. Particularly, when the width W12 of the open/close part 12 ismade smaller as shown in FIG. 16, the total brightness IT largelychanges depending on the viewing angle α. As describe above, in the 3Ddisplay device 1R, when the width W12 of the open/close part 12 is madesmaller, the brightness I changes depending on the viewing angle α, andthis may be recognized as a moire.

The crosstalk range act can be reduced by reducing the width W12 of theopen/close part 12 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. That is, same as thecase of the 3D display device 1 according to the present embodiment, thecrosstalk can be reduced by reducing the width W12 of the open/closepart 12.

As described above, in the 3D display device 1R according to thecomparative example, for example, when the width W12 of the open/closepart 12 is made larger, although the moire on the display screen can bereduced, the crosstalk gets worse. Also, for example, when the width W12of the open/close part 12 is made smaller, although the crosstalk can bereduced, the moire is generated. That is, in the 3D display device 1R,the moire and the crosstalk are in a relationship of trade-offTherefore, both characteristics are hardly improved simultaneously.

On the other hand, in the 3D display device 1 according to the presentembodiment, since the sub-pixel 21 and the sub-pixel 22 are disposedalternately in the horizontal direction X, generation of moire can besuppressed regardless of the width W12 of the open/close part 12. Thatis, in the 3D display device 1, the moire and the crosstalk are not in arelationship of trade-off. Therefore, the crosstalk can be reduced whilesuppressing the generation of moire by reducing the width W12 of theopen/close part 12.

Advantageous Effect

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition tothe sub-pixels 21, the sub-pixels 22 are provided. Therefore, thebrightness in the ordinary display (2D display) can be enhancedresulting in an enhanced image quality.

Also, in the present embodiment, the distance between the sub-pixels 21in the horizontal direction is arranged to be equal to the width of thesub-pixel 21 itself. Therefore, the generation of moire can besuppressed during performing the 3D display and the degree of designingfreedom can be enhanced. In particular, for example, when the width ofthe open/close part 12 made smaller, the crosstalk can be reduced whilesuppressing the generation of moire.

Modification 1-1

In the above embodiment, the distance S21 between the sub-pixels 21 inthe horizontal direction X is arranged to be equal to the width W21 ofthe sub-pixel 21 itself. However, the embodiment is not limited to this.Detailed descriptions will be made below.

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate the disposition of the sub-pixels 21 in thedisplay part 20A according to the modification 1-1. FIG. 17A illustratesthe case where the distance S21 between the sub-pixels 21 is smallerthan the width W21. FIG. 17B illustrates the case where the distance S21between the sub-pixels 21 is larger than the width W21. When thesub-pixels 21 are disposed as shown in FIG. 17, different from the caseof the above-described embodiment (FIG. 10), the area of the viewedsub-pixel changes slightly depending on the viewing angle α when theviewer views the display screen. With this, for example, the smaller thewidth W12 of the open/close part 12, the fewer the crosstalk results in.However, the moire may be generated. That is, in the modification 1-1,although not so considerably large as the above-described comparativeexample, a relationship of trade-off is generated between the crosstalkand the moire. Therefore, in the modification 1-1, it is necessary toarrange the distance S21 between the sub-pixels 21 and the width W12 ofthe open/close part 12 within a range where the image quality is notdeteriorated by the crosstalk and the moire.

A description will be made on the amount of the crosstalk and the moireunder which the viewer does not recognize the decease of the imagequality. A description is made first on acceptable amount of thecrosstalk.

FIG. 18 illustrates the brightness distribution of the neighboringmultiple sub-pixels 21. In an area adjacent to the both sides of aviewing angle range Rα in which mainly the light from a sub-pixel 21 canbe viewed, the light from a sub-pixel 21 neighboring on the sub-pixel 21also viewed. In particular, for example, at the viewing angle α1, inaddition to the light of brightness I1 from the desired sub-pixel 21,the light of brightness I2 from the neighboring sub-pixel 21 is alsoviewed. At this time, the crosstalk amount CT is expressed by thefollowing formula:

CT=I2/ 1×100   (1)

That is, the crosstalk amount CT is a value such that the largerinfluence from the neighboring sub-pixel 21 (the larger crosstalk), thelarger value results in. Personal difference is found in recognition ofthe decease of image quality due to the crosstalk; and the sensation isdifferent depending on the content of the displayed image. The crosstalkamount CT is preferred to be approximately 10% or less.

Subsequently, a description is made on acceptable amount of the moire.In the case when the sub-pixels 21 are disposed as shown in, FIGS. 17Aand 17B the area of the viewed sub-pixel changes depending on theviewing angle α when the viewer views the display screen. Therefore, thebrightness I changes depending on the viewing angle α. In particular, itis assumed that, for example, at a viewing angle α, the brightness I ismaximum (brightness I3); and at another viewing angle α, the brightnessI is minimum (brightness I4). At this time, the moire amount MO isexpressed by the following formula:

MO=(1−I4/I3)×100   (2)

That is, the moire amount MO is a value such that the larger differenceof the brightness I due to the viewing angle α results in the largervalue. Personal difference is found also in the recognition of the imagequality decease due to the moire. The moire amount MO is preferablyapproximately 30% or less.

Accordingly, when disposing the sub-pixels 21 as shown in FIGS. 17A and17B, the sub-pixels 21 are preferably disposed so that the crosstalkamount CT is 10% or less; and the moire amount MO is 30% or less, forexample.

Modification 1-2

In the above embodiment, it is arranged so that, when performing the 3Ddisplay, the sub-pixels 22 display the black color. The embodiment isnot limited to this. Alternatively, for example, gray may be displayed.With this, compared to the case where sub-pixels 22 perform the blackdisplay, the brightness of the display screen can be enhanced during the3D display.

In this case, the crosstalk amount CT also can be reduced. When thesub-pixels 22 display the gray, the crosstalk amount CT is expressed bythe following formula:

CT=I2/(I1+IG)×100   (3)

Wherein, IG is a brightness of gray display. Thus, when the sub-pixels22 performs the gray display, the crosstalk amount CT deceases. Thus,the possibility that the viewer recognizes the decease of the imagequality due to the crosstalk can be reduced. In this case also, thebrightness IG of the gray display may be set so that the crosstalkamount CT is, for example, 10% or less.

Modification 1-3

In the above embodiment, the open/close parts 11 and 12 are provided soas to extend in the vertical direction Y However, the embodiment is notlimited to this. Alternatively, for example, open/close parts 71A and72A may be formed in a step-like configuration as a barrier part 70Ashown in FIG. 19A. Or, open/close parts 71B and 72B may be formed so asto extend in an oblique direction as a barrier part 70B shown in FIG.19B.

FIG. 20 illustrates a positional relationship between the sub-pixels 21and the open/close part 72A in the case where barrier part 70A is usedshown in FIG. 19A. Note that, the sub-pixels 22 and open/close part 72Bare omitted in the figure. Receiving an identical control signal, theseopen/close parts 72A perform the open/close operation simultaneously.One open/close part 72A is provided for four sub-pixels 21 in thehorizontal direction X. This agrees with a fact that the 3D displaydevice according to the modification performs the 3D display bydisplaying four viewpoint images.

Modification 1-4

In the above embodiment, the sub-pixels 21 and 22 are formed to extendin the vertical direction Y. However, the embodiment is not limited tothis. Alternatively, the sub-pixels 21 and 22 may be formed to extend,for example, in the horizontal direction X. Detailed description is madebelow on such modification.

FIG. 21 illustrates an array of sub-pixels SPix in a display part 80according to a modification. The display part 80 includes two differenttypes of sub-pixels SPix (81 and 82) that extend in the horizontaldirection X but the width in the horizontal direction X is differentfrom each other. In particular, the display part 80 includes sub-pixels81 (81R, 81G, 81B) that has a larger width (width W81) in the horizontaldirection X and sub-pixels 82 (82R, 82G, 82B) that has a smaller width(width W82) in the horizontal direction X. The sub-pixels 81 and thesub-pixels 82 are disposed alternately in both of the horizontaldirection X and the vertical direction Y In particular, in this example,sub-pixels 81R, 82G, 81B, 82R, 81G, 82B are repeatedly dispose in thevertical direction Y in this order. In this case, the sub-pixels 81 andthe sub-pixels 82 neighboring on each other in the vertical direction Yare arranged so as that the central coordinates thereof in thehorizontal direction X coincide with each other. Also, in the horizontaldirection X, the sub-pixels 81R and 82R are disposed alternately; thesub-pixel 81G and 82G are disposed alternately; and the sub-pixel 81Band 82B are disposed alternately. In the display part 80, the distanceS81 between the sub-pixels 81 neighboring in the horizontal direction Xis equal to the width W81 of the sub-pixel 81 itself. With thisconfigure, when the display device according to the modification 1-4performs the 3D display, the sub-pixel 81 displays four viewpointimages, and the sub-pixel 82 displays a black color. When performing theordinary display (2D display), both of the sub-pixel 81 and thesub-pixel 82 display a two dimensional image.

FIG. 22 illustrates a positional relationship between the sub-pixels 81in the display part 80 and the open/close parts 12 in the barrier part10. Note that the open/close part 11 and the sub-pixels 82 are omittedin this figure. One open/close part 12 is provided for four sub-pixels81 (sub-pixel group PG) within two neighboring lines. This agrees withthe fact that the 3D display device according to a modification displaysfour viewpoint images when performing the 3D display.

Modification 1-5

In the above embodiment, when performing the 3D display, the open/closepart 12 is constantly maintained in the open state. However, theembodiment is not limited to this. Alternatively, for example, bydividing open/close part 12 into multiple groups, and the groups may bedriven to open/close in a time-sharing manner. Detailed description ismade below.

FIG. 23 illustrates an example of a group configuration of theopen/close part 12. In this example, the open/close part 12 is dividedinto two groups; i.e., group-A and group-B. Open/close parts 12 includedin the group-A and open/close parts 12 included in the group-B aredisposed alternately being interposed by the open/close part 11.Hereinafter, the open/close parts 12 included in the group-A areappropriately referred to as open/close parts 12A as a collectivedesignation; likewise, the open/close parts 12 included in the group-Bare appropriately referred to as open/close parts 12B as a collectivedesignation.

FIGS. 24A TO 24B illustrate an example of the operation of a 3D displaydevice 1E according to a modification when performing the 3D display.FIG. 24A illustrates a first state; and FIG. 24B illustrates a secondstate. The 3D display device 1E performs the operation while switchingbetween the first state and the second state alternately.

In the first state, each of the sub-pixels 21 in the display part 20displays a piece of pixel information P1-P4 corresponding to fourviewpoint images respectively as shown in FIG. 24A. At this time, therespective pieces of pixel information P1-P4 are displayed on thesub-pixels 21 disposed adjacent to the open/close part 12A. In thebarrier part 10, the open/close part 12A gets into the open state(transmissive state); the open/close part 12B gets into the closedstate. The respective light beams output from the respective sub-pixels21 in the display part 20 are output at an angle regulated by theopen/close part 12A. With this, the viewer views, for example, a pieceof pixel information P2 with the left eye and a piece of pixelinformation P3 with the right eye; and thus, the viewer can view astereoscopic image.

In the second state, each of the sub-pixels 21 in the display part 20displays a piece of pixel information P1-P4 corresponding to the fourviewpoint images as shown in FIG. 24B. At this time, the four pieces ofpixel information P1-P4 are displayed on the sub-pixels 21 disposedadjacent the open/close part 12B. In the barrier part 10, the open/closepart 12B gets into the open state (transmissive state), and theopen/close part 12A gets into the closed state. The respective lightbeams output from each of the sub-pixels 21 in the display part 20 areoutput at an angle regulated by the open/close part 12B. With this, theviewer views, for example, a piece of pixel information P2 with the lefteye, and a piece of pixel information P3 with the right eye; and thus,the viewer can view a stereoscopic image.

By displaying the image while causing the open/close part 12A and theopen/close part 12B to open/close alternately in a time-sharing manneras described above, the viewer views images displayed at positionsdisplaced from each other while averaging the images. The 3D displaydevice 1E achieves a resolution two-times higher than that of the 3Ddisplay device 1 according to the above embodiment.

Modification 1-6

In the above embodiments, the back light 30, the display part 20 and thebarrier part 10 are disposed in this order. However, the embodiment isnot limited to this. Alternatively, the back light 30, the barrier part10 and the display part 20 may be disposed in this order as shown inFIG. 25. FIG. 26 illustrates an example of the operation of the displaypart 20 and the barrier part 10 according to a modification 1-6. In thismodification, the light beams output from the back light 30 enter intothe barrier part 10 first. In the entered light beams, the light beamsthat pass through the open/close part 12 are modulated by the displaypart 20 to output four viewpoint images.

Modification 1-7

In the above embodiment, the display part 20 and the back light 30 areused. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. Alternatively, forexample, a display part such as EL (Electro Luminescence) may beemployed.

Modification 1-8

In the above embodiment, the sub-pixels 21R, 22B, 21G, 22R, 21B, and 22Gare repeatedly disposed in this order in the horizontal direction X.However, the embodiment is not limited to this. Alternatively, thesub-pixels may be repeatedly disposed in order of 21R, 22G, 21G, 22B,21B and 22R for example, as shown in FIG. 27; or the disposition of thesub-pixels 21 and 22 may be changed on the line-basis as shown in FIG.28.

Also, for example, the sub-pixels 21R, 21G, 21B may be disposed adjacentto each other; and likewise the sub-pixels 22R, 22G, 22B may be disposedadjacent to each other as shown in FIG. 29. In this example, forexample, the sub-pixels 21R and 21G are disposed neighboring on eachother being interposed by one sub-pixel 22 in the horizontal directionX, and the sub-pixel 21B is disposed neighboring on the interposedsub-pixel 22 in the vertical direction Y. Likewise, for example, thesub-pixels 22R and 22G are disposed neighboring on each other beinginterposed by one sub-pixel 21 in the horizontal direction X, and thesub-pixel 22B is disposed neighboring on the interposed sub-pixel 21 inthe vertical direction Y. With this arrangement, the color balanceduring ordinary display (2D display) is improved.

Modification 1-9

In the above embodiment, the barrier part 10 is configured by using theopen/close parts 11 and 12 capable of changing the transmissive ratio ofthe light beams. Alternatively, for example, the barrier part may beconfigured by using a fixed barrier which blocks the light beam at aportion corresponding to the open/close part 11, and opens the portioncorresponding to open/close part 12 to allow the light to passtherethrough. In this case also, 3D display can be performed same as theabove embodiment (FIG. 9 or the like). When performing ordinary display(2D display), for example, the four sub-pixels 21 (sub-pixel group PG)and four sub-pixels 22, which are disposed adjacent to the opening,display one piece of pixel information; thereby 2D image can bedisplayed.

Modification 1-10

In the above embodiments, the 3D display device of parallax barriersystem is configured. However, the embodiment is not limited to this.Alternatively, for example, a 3D display device of a lenticular lenssystem may be configured. Detailed description is made below.

FIG. 30 illustrates an example of the operation of 3D display by a 3Ddisplay device 9 of a lenticular lens system. The 3D display device 9includes a lens part 90 having a plurality of lenses 99 that refractsthe light beams which are output from the back light 30 and pass throughthe display part 20. When performing 3D display, in the display part 20,the four sub-pixels 21 (sub-pixel group PG), which are disposed at theportions corresponding to each lens 99, displays four pieces of pixelinformation P1-P4 corresponding to four viewpoint images, respectively.The light beams output from the sub-pixels 21 in the display part 20 arerefracted by the lenses 99 and are output in the respective directions.

As for the lenses 99, a lens with a fixed refraction index or, forexample, a lens configured so that the characteristic such as refractionindex is variable like a liquid crystal lens or a liquid lens may beemployed.

2. Application Example

A description is made on an application examples of the 3D displaydevice described in the above embodiment and modifications.

FIG. 31 illustrates an appearance of a television set to which the 3Ddisplay device of the above embodiment or the like is applied. Thetelevision set has, for example, an image display screen part 510including a front panel 511 and a filter glass 512. The image displayscreen part 510 is constituted of a 3D display device according to theabove-described embodiment or the like.

The 3D display device of the above-described embodiment or the like isapplicable to, in addition to such television set, electronic apparatusused in various fields including digital cameras, note type personalcomputers, mobile terminal apparatuses of mobile phones or the like,mobile game machines, video cameras and the like. In other words, the 3Ddisplay device of the above-described embodiment or the like isapplicable to every electronic apparatuses for displaying images used invarious fields.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

In the above embodiments, it is configure to display four viewpointimages in the 3D display. However, the present technology is not limitedto the above; but viewpoint images of three or less, or viewpoint imagesof five or more may be displayed.

Also, in the above-described embodiments, the present technology hasbeen described while giving the 3D display device as an example.However, the present technology is not limited to the 3D display device.For example, the present technology may be applied to a multi-display.That is, in place of multiple viewpoint images, multiple images formultiple viewers may be displayed. For example, by displaying differentimages; i.e. an image to be viewed at the left side with respect thefront side perpendicular to a display screen different from an image tobe viewed at the right side with respect the front side perpendicular toa display screen; it is possible to achieve a multi-display.

Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.

(1) A display device, including:

-   -   a display part including a pixel of a first series having a        first horizontal pixel width and a pixel of a second series        having a second horizontal pixel width smaller than the first        horizontal pixel width, the pixels of the first series and the        pixels of the second series being arrayed alternately in each of        a horizontal direction and a vertical direction; and    -   a light beam control part that controls a light beam from the        display part or a light beam toward the display part.

(2) The display device according to (1), wherein

-   -   the display device has a plurality of display modes including a        first display mode and a second display mode,    -   in the first display mode, the pixels of the first series and        the pixels of the second series display a single image, and    -   in the second display mode, the pixels of the first series        display a plurality of images and the pixels of the second        series display a black color.

(3) The display device according to (2), wherein the distance betweenthe pixels of the first series in the horizontal direction is equal tothe first horizontal pixel width.

(4) The display device according to (2), wherein the distance betweenthe pixels of the first series in the horizontal direction is smallerthan the first horizontal pixel width.

(5) The display device according to (2), wherein the distance betweenthe pixels of the first series in the horizontal direction is largerthan the first horizontal pixel width.

(6) The display device according to any one of (3) to (5), wherein acentral coordinate in the horizontal direction of each pixel of thefirst series is equal to a central coordinate in the horizontaldirection of a pixel of the second series neighboring on the pixel ofthe first series in the vertical direction.

(7) The display device according to (1), wherein

-   -   the display device has a plurality of display modes including a        first display mode and a second display mode,    -   in the first display mode, the pixels of the first series and        the pixels of the second series display a single image, and    -   in the second display mode, the pixels of the first series        display a plurality of images and the pixels of the second        series display a gray color.

(8) The display device according to any one of (2) to (7), wherein thelight beam control part operates

-   -   in the first display mode, in manner to allow light beams from        the single image or light beams toward the single image to pass        therethrough, and    -   in the second display mode, in a manner to regulate light beams        from the respective images displayed on the display part or        light beams toward the respective images in a corresponding        angular direction.

(9) The display device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein

-   -   the light beam control part is a barrier part that allows light        to pass therethrough or blocks the same, and    -   the barrier part includes a plurality of liquid crystal barriers        of a first series and a plurality of liquid crystal barriers of        a second series which are switchable between an open state and a        closed state.

(10) The display device according to (9), wherein

-   -   the plurality of liquid crystal barriers of the first series and        the plurality of the liquid crystal barriers of the second        series get into a transmissive state in the first display mode,        and    -   the plurality of liquid crystal barriers of the first series get        into the transmissive state and the plurality of liquid crystal        barriers of the second series get into a blocking state in the        second display mode.

(11) The display device according to (10), wherein the plurality ofliquid crystal barriers of the first series and the plurality of liquidcrystal barriers of the second series extend in a predetermineddirection.

(12) The display device according to (11), wherein a width of the liquidcrystal barriers of the first series is smaller than the firsthorizontal pixel width.

(13) The display device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein

-   -   the light beam control part is a barrier part that allows light        to pass therethrough or blocks the same, and    -   the barrier part has a plurality of fixed openings.

(14) The display device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein thelight beam control part has a plurality of variable lenses capable ofchanging a refraction index.

(15) The display device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein thelight beam control part has a plurality of fixed lenses.

(16) The display device according to any one of (1) to (15), furtherincluding

-   -   a back light, wherein    -   the display part is a liquid crystal display part, and    -   the liquid crystal display part is disposed between the back        light and the barrier part.

(17) The display device according to any one of (1) to (15), furtherincluding

-   -   a back light, wherein    -   the display part is a liquid crystal display part, and    -   the barrier part is disposed between the back light and the        liquid crystal display part.

(18) A display panel, including:

-   -   a pixel of a first series having a first horizontal pixel width;        and    -   a pixel of a second series having a second horizontal pixel        width smaller than the first horizontal pixel width, wherein    -   the pixels of the first series and the pixels of the second        series are arrayed alternately in each of a horizontal direction        and a vertical direction.

(19) An electronic apparatus, including:

-   -   a display unit; and    -   a control unit that performs operation control by using the        display unit, wherein    -   the display unit includes        -   a display part in which a pixel of a first series having a            first horizontal pixel width and a pixel of a second series            having a second horizontal pixel width smaller than the            first horizontal pixel width are arrayed alternately in each            of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction; and        -   a light beam control part that controls a light beam from            the display part or a light beam toward the display part.

The present disclosure contains subject matter related to that disclosedin Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2011-214867 filed in theJapan Patent Office on Sep. 29, 2011, the entire content of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device, comprising: pixels of a firstseries including first pixels and second pixels; pixels of a secondseries arranged between the pixels of the first series in a firstdirection; a parallax barrier comprised of (a) first series barriers and(b) second series barriers that are arranged between the first seriesbarriers in the first direction, wherein, the first series barriers areconfigured to be in a transmissive state, the second series barriers areconfigured to be in a non-transmissive state, the first pixels of thefirst series are configured to display a plurality of first viewpointimages via the first series barriers, the second pixels of the firstseries are configured to display a plurality of second viewpoint imagesvia the first series barriers, and the pixels of the second series areconfigured to display a black color or a gray color.
 2. The displaydevice according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the pixels ofthe first series in the first direction is substantially equal to awidth of the pixels of the first series in the first direction.
 3. Thedisplay device according to claim 1, wherein the distance between thepixels of the first series in the first direction is shorter than awidth of the pixels of the first series in the first direction.
 4. Thedisplay device according to claim 1, wherein the distance between thepixels of the first series in the first direction is larger than a widthof the pixels of the first series in the first direction.
 5. The displaydevice according to claim 1, wherein the pixels of the second series arearranged between the pixels of the first series in a second directionwhich crosses the first direction.
 6. The display device according toclaim 5, wherein a central coordinate in the first direction of eachpixel of the first series is equal to a central coordinate in the firstdirection of a pixel of the second series neighboring on the pixel ofthe first series in the second direction.
 7. The display deviceaccording to claim 1, the second series barriers are switchable liquidcrystal barriers.
 8. The display device according to claim 1, whereinthe first and second series barriers are switchable liquid crystalbarriers.
 9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the firstseries barriers and the second series barriers extend in a predetermineddirection.
 10. The display device according to claim 1, wherein a widthof the first series barriers is smaller than a width of the pixels ofthe first series in the first direction.
 11. The display deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising an illuminator, wherein thepixels of the first series and the pixels of the second series arepresent between the illuminator and the parallax barrier.
 12. Thedisplay device according to claim 1, further comprising an illuminator,wherein the parallax barrier is present between the illuminator and thepixels of the first and second series.
 13. The display device of claim1, wherein, for a given group of four neighboring pixels of the firstseries, two of the pixels are a one color and two of the pixels are ofanother color.
 14. The display device of claim 1, wherein: the displaydevice is configured to perform a first display mode and a seconddisplay mode, in the first display mode, each of the pixels of thesecond series is configured to display a same color with each of thepixels of the first series which is adjacent to the each of the pixelsof the second series in the first direction, and in the second displaymode, the pixels of the second series are configured to display theblack color or the gray color.
 15. The display device of claim 14,wherein: the display device is configured to perform a first displaymode and a second display mode, in the first display mode, each of thepixels of the second series is configured to display a same color witheach of the pixels of the first series which is adjacent to the each ofthe pixels of the second series in a second direction which crosses thefirst direction.
 16. A display device, comprising: pixels of a firstseries including first pixels and second pixels; pixels of a secondseries arranged between the pixels of the first series in a firstdirection; a parallax barrier comprised of openings and barrier parts,the openings being arranged between the barrier parts in the firstdirection, wherein, the barrier parts are configured to be in anon-transmissive state, the first pixels of the first series areconfigured to display a plurality of first viewpoint images via theopenings, the second pixels of the first series are configured todisplay a plurality of second viewpoint images via the openings, and thepixels of the second series are configured to display a black color or agray color.
 17. A display device, comprising: pixels of a first seriesincluding first pixels and second pixels; pixels of a second seriesarranged between the pixels of the first series in a first direction;and a lens, wherein, the first pixels of the first series display aplurality of images via the lens; the second pixels of the first seriesare configured to display a plurality of second viewpoint images via thelens; and the pixels of the second series are configured to display ablack color or a gray color.